Composable support structure for tables and the like

ABSTRACT

A support structure for tables and likewise, comprising a support frame for the table top provided with support legs at the angles, in which the said structure has a tubular section, and comprises four parts of structure distinguished, composable thereamong. Each part of structure showing two arms arranged perpendicularly therebetween, and being formed by a first and a second half-shell which can be coupled one to the other along the longitudinal edges. Each single part of the said structure connecting to the parts of structure contiguous by means of a tenon joint.

United States Patent von Bohr Oct. 14, 1975 [54] COMPOSABLE SUPPORTSTRUCTURE FOR 3,204,905 9/1965 Marban... 248/188 TABLES AND THE LIKE3,392,947 7/1968 Keliehor 248/] 88.1 3,711,133 1/1973 Werner 248/188.1[75] Inventor: Olaf von Bohr, Milan, Italy [73] Assignee: KartellS.p.A., Milan, Italy Primary ExamlnerRoy D. Frazier Filed: Sept. 1972Asszstant Exammer-Darrell Marquette App]. No.2 289,454

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 15, 1971 Italy 28668/71[52] US. Cl. 248/l88.1; 108/156; 108/159 [51] Int. Cl. F16M 11/20 [58]Field of Search 108/156; 312/108, 111; 248/188, 188.1; 297/440 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,467,505 9/1923 Schwaegler108/156 2,485,172 10/1949 Shelton et a1..... 248/188 3,065,860 11/1962Swanson 108/156 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fleit & Jacobson [57] ABSTRACTA support structure for tables and likewise, comprising a support framefor the table top provided with support legs at the angles, in which thesaid structure has a tubular section, and comprises four parts ofstructure distinguished, composable thereamong. Each part of structureshowing two arms arranged perpendicularly therebetween, and being formedby a first and a second half-shell which can be coupled one to the otheralong the longitudinal edges. Each single part of the said structureconnecting to the parts of structure contiguous by means of a tenonjoint.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet20f23,912,210

COMPOSABLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR TABLES AND THE LIKE This inventionrelates to a composable support structure in general, and to a supportstructure for tables, trolleys, and other supports for furnitureparticularly; hereunder, for the objects of this invention and forfacility in speaking, reference to a table is always made; however, thisinvention is not restricted to it.

A first object of this invention is to provide a structure for table, ofthe composable type, in a manner that each single parts disassembled maybe arranged and packaged for storaging and for shipping, capable ofminimize the overall dimensions, and therefore a major saving in space.

A further object of this invention is to provide a support structureaccording to the type above specified, wherein tables with differentdimensions and forms depending on the requirement, may be composed.

A support structure for tables and the like, according to this inventioncomprises a support quadrangular frame for a resting top, said framebeing equipped at its angles with support legs, and is characterized bythe fact that it has a tubular section comprising four distinguishedparts, composable one to the other, each single part of structureshowing three arms arranged according to the edges of a trihedron, twoarms of which horizontal and suitable to form part of the support framefor the said top, and a vertical arm suitable to form a support leg;each part of the structure being moreover formed by two half-shellswhich therebetween cab couple along their edges each single part of thestructure and finally connecting to the parts of contiguous structuresby means of a foxtail wedging.

The composable support structure object of this pres ent invention willnow be illustrated hereunder in detail, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the composablestructure according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section essentially according to the line 22 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section essentially according to the line 3-3 of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section essentially according to the line 44 of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section according to the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section showing a leg, essentiallyaccording to the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the foxtail wedgmg;

FIG. 8 is a perspective and partial view showing the internal shell;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view showing the internal side of theexternal half-shell;

FIG. 10 shows an alternative of the foxtail wedging for the partscomprising the table structure.

Referring now to the above figures, and to the FIG. 1 in particular, asupport structure for tables and the like, according to this invention,comprises essentially four parts of structure composable thereamong andindicated, respectively, by the numerals l to 4 in FIG. 1, which partsdefine a substantially quadrangular frame for a support top of the tableand four support vertical legs, arranged at the angles of the saidframe.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each part of the structure is equipped withthree arms, indicated respectively by the numerals 5, 6 and 7,perpendicular thereamong, that is arranged with the edges of a trihedronangle, and the arms 5, 6 of which are arranged horizontally in order toform a part of the support frame of the table top, while the third arm 7forms one of the support legs.

As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the two horizontal arms 5, 6 have differentextensions, that is, the arm 6 is extended for the largest part of thelength, respectively of the width of the table, while the secondhorizontal arm 5 projects for a very reduced portion, and such that whenadded to the length of the longer arm 6 of the contiguous part ofstructure, will define the width, respectively the length of thestructure of the said table. In this manner, the overall dimensions ofpackaging can be minimized for, by arranging the four parts of the tablestructure with their legs 7 and their longer arm 6 according a sameplane, the packaging will have a thickness substantially equal to thelength of the said shortest arms 5.

Each single part of the structure, as clearly shown in the drawingsherewith enclosed, has a tubular section for permitting the connectionof the parts by means of groove-and-tongue joints which comprise, asshown in the execution illustrated in FIG. 1, a separated tenon 8suitable to be inserted and secured into the arms 5, 6 opposite of twoparts of contiguous structure.

FIG. 3 shows each leg equipped with a tubular section substantiallyL-shaped, while as shown also in the upper part of FIG. 2, eachhorizontal arm 5, 6 has a substantially rectangular section withoverlapped a tubular, longitudinal edge 9 with a width less than andslightly extending inwardly, in a manner as to form a ledge or supportseat 10 reserved for a support top of the table (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 9, a more detailed description of theexecution of each single part of structure 1,2, 3 and 4 above stated,will be given. Being the parts of the same configuration, a singledescription is given.

The table structure is tubular and made in moulded plastics.Accordingly, as per this invention, each part of structure 1, 2, 3 and 4has been executed in a manner of two half-shells, external and internalrespectively, which can be coupled thereamong by jointing along theirlongitudinal edges.

As shown in the figures, both the external and the internal shell 11 and12, respectively, partially shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and pertaining toeach part of structure, have the arms 5 and 6, respectively, with atransversal section C-shaped with the side flanges of the said sectionsof each part of the arm overlapping and engaging mutually, in order todefine a substantially tubular section of rectangular form. Precisely,the external halfshell 11, as shown in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 9, shows alongthe lower edge of its horizontal arms 5 and 6, and along the edges ofthe relevant leg 7, a pair of flanges 13, 14, parallel and separated,one more extended than the other, and which define a seat whereinto thecorresponding lower flange 15 of a horizontal arm will engage, alongwith the corresponding side flanges 15' of the leg of an internalhalf-shell l2; likewise, along the upper arm of the internal half-shelldual tongues 16, 17 will result with the purpose of defining a seatwhereinto the corresponding upper flange 18 of an external halfshellwill engage, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings attachedherewith.

Moreover, the external half-shell shows, along the upper edge of itshorizontal arms, a C-shaped part 19 inwardly directioned of the table,and cooperating with a vertical tongue 20 obtained at the upper portionalong the horizontal arms of the internal shell 12, with the purpose offorming the said tubular edge 9, and defining the support seat of thetable top, as detailed above with reference to FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, with the purpose of preventing that the half-shellscan slide one respect the other in the course of the assembling, andalso when the table is assembled, a fact which will impair both thestability and the aspect of the table, along the two flanges 15, of theinternal half-shell 1 1, some recesses have been executed and which willengage with some corresponding extensions 21 obtained into the relevantseat on the other half-shell, which are homogeneously and longitudinallyseparated thereamong in this specific case wherein the connection of theparts of the structure of the tables is obtained by means ofgroove-and-tongue joint comprising a tenon 25, shown in FIGS. 7, 2, and4, which tenon is inserted into the opposite arms 5 and 6 of two partsof structure which are contiguous. The said tenon 25 shows close to oneof its ends, two lateral recesses 26, one of which will engage with aprojection 30, with similar form (FIG. 4), formed on a side flange ofone of the two half-shells ll, 12. The tenon 25 shows, at its other end,two opposite lateral openings 27 (a single one is shown in FIG. 7), intowhich a small piece 28 (FIG. 4) provided with a threaded hole isinserted, and whereto a screw 29 is threaded, the latter serving forsecuring the said tenon 25 to the external half-shell of the other partof structure of the table which is contiguous to the previous one. Inthis manner tension rods are provided, serving for stiffening the tablewhen assembled. Naturally, during the assembling, the differenthalf-shells can be glued thereamong along the contacting flanges.

The said tenon 25, as stated above, shows some notches, one of whichwill engage with the projection 30 similarly executed on the longerhorizontal arm 6 of each part of structure, while at the same time thesaid tenon 25 is secured by means of a screw into the contiguous part ofstructure; thus, when required, the table can easily be disassembled fortransport purpose and reassembled. Moreover, this means for securingwill permit the execution of tables having different dimensions.

Actually, it will be sufficient to provide a plurality of projections 30longitudinally each horizontal arm 6 of each part of structure, as forexample shown in FIG. 2, thus the said arms can be shortened all of thesame quantity or of different quantity, for obtaining support structureswhich are smaller or with different configuration, for instance, squareor rectangular shaped.

In this manner, by means of a single set of moulds prepared for astructure of larger module, structure of minor module and differingcompared the original one, can be executed.

An alternative to the system for connecting by tenon as previouslyillustrated is shown in FIG. 8, wherein the tenon 25' has been formedinto two shells, each solidal with the relevant half-shell. It is clearthat in this manner, the dimensions of a table cannot be changed.

With reference to the above illustration and to the accompanyingdrawings, it is clear that a structure of a table or other similarsupport structures have been provided, of a new execution which willpermit an ease and rapid assembling and disassembling of the parts bywhich it is executed, and moreover to minimize the overall dimensions ofthe table disassembled, thus reducing the transport expenses and thestoraging room.

Of course various changes or modifications may be made to the aboveillustrated embodiment, for example, the two half-shells can be dividedtherebetween according to longitudinal planes, without departing fromthe scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An assemblable table structure comprising a support frame for aworking surface having four corners with legs at each of said fourcorners, said structure having four parts adapted to be connectedtogether to define said support frame and said legs, said four partseach comprising three mutually perpendicular arms, the first and secondof said arms lying in a first plane and forming a portion of saidsupport frame, said first arm being longer than said second arm, thethird of said arms lying in a second plane perpendicular to said firstplane and forming one of said legs, the third arm of each of said fourparts being of the same length, each of said arms of said four partscomprising a tubular shell formed by external and internal half-shells,and a tenon joint for connecting the first arm of each one of said fourparts to the second arm of another one of said four parts.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which each half-shell is formed from asingle piece of molded plastic.

3. The structure of claim 1 in which the arms of each half-shell form aC-shaped structure.

4. The structure of claim 1 in which said external and internalhalf-shells are joined together by tongue and groove joints.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said tongue and groove jointscomprise two parallel and spaced groove flanges along the longitudinaledge of at least one of said arms of said external half-shell and acorresponding tongue flange formed along the longitudinal edge of atleast one of said arms of said internal half-shell.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which each half-shell has two paralleland spaced groove flanges along one longitudinal edge of each arm and acorresponding tongue flange along the other longitudinal edge of eacharm.

7. The structure of claim 1 in which said legs are L- shaped intransverse cross section.

8. The structure of claim 1 in which said tenon joint comprises a tenonpart, said tenon part having a notch at one end adapted to be engaged bya corresponding internal projection in one of said first and second armsconnected together by said tenon part, said tenon part also having anopening at its other end and a corresponding traverse piece received insaid opening.

9. The structure of claim 8 in which said traverse piece has a threadedhole through which a set screw can be inserted for connecting said fourparts together.

10. The structure of claim 1 in which said tenon joint comprises atleast two tenon parts.

11. The structure of claim 1 in which a plurality of internally andlongitudinally separated projections are arm being longer than saidsecond arm, the third of said arms lying in a second plane perpendicularto said first plane and forming one of said legs, the third arm of eachof said four parts being of the same length, each of said arms of saidfour parts comprising a tubular shell, and means for connecting thefirst arm of each one of said four parts to the second arm of anotherone of said four parts.

1. An assemblable table structure comprising a support frame for aworking surface having four corners with legs at each of said fourcorners, said structure having four parts adapted to be connectedtogether to define said support frame and said legs, said four partseach comprising three mutually perpendicular arms, the first and secondof said arms lying in a first plane and forming a portion of saidsupport frame, said first arm being longer than said second arm, thethird of said arms lying in a second plane perpendicular to said firstplane and forming one of said legs, the third arm of each of said fourparts being of the same length, each of said arms of said four partscomprising a tubular shell formed by external and internal half-shells,and a tenon joint for connecting the first arm of each one of said fourparts to the second arm of another one of said four parts.
 2. Thestructure of claim 1 in which each half-shell is formed from a singlepiece of molded plastic.
 3. The structure of claim 1 in which the armsof each half-shell form a C-shaped structure.
 4. The structure of claim1 in which said external and internal half-shells are joined together bytongue and groove joints.
 5. The structure of claim 4 in which saidtongue and groove joints comprise two parallel and spaced groove flangesalong the longitudinal edge of at least one of said arms of saidexternal half-shell and a corresponding tongue flange formed along thelongitudinal edge of at least one of said arms of said internalhalf-shell.
 6. The structure of claim 5 in which each half-shell has twoparallel and spaced groove flanges along one longitudinal edge of eacharm and a corresponding tongue flange along the other longitudinal edgeof each arm.
 7. The structure of claim 1 in which said legs are L-shapedin transverse cross section.
 8. The structure of claim 1 in which saidtenon joint comprises a tenon part, said tenon part having a notch atone end adapted to be engaged by a corresponding internal projection inone of said first and second arms connected together by said tenon part,said tenon part also having an opening at its other end and acorresponding traverse piece received in said opening.
 9. The structureof claim 8 in which said traverse piece has a threaded hole throughwhich a set screw can be inserted for connecting said four partstogether.
 10. The structure of claim 1 in which said tenon jointcomprises at least two tenon parts.
 11. The structure of claim 1 inwhich a plurality of internally and longitudinally separated projectionsare provided in one of said arms of each of said four parts of saidstructure.
 12. An assemblable table structure comprising a support framefor a working surface having four corners with legs at each of said fourcorners, said structure having four parts adapted to be connectedtogether to define said support frame and said legs, said four partseach comprising three mutually perpendicular arms, the first and secondof said arms lying in a first plane and forming a portion of saidsupport frame, said first arm being longer than said second arm, thethird of said arms lying in a second plane perpendicular to said firstplane and forming one of said legs, the third arm of each of said fourparts being of the same length, each of said arms of said four partscomprising a tubular shell, and means for connecting the first arm ofeach one of said four parts to the second arm of another one of saidfour parts.